Zurich Conference on Colonial and Postcolonial Language Studies – Changes and Challenges June 4–6, 2018
(biannual conference of the International Association of Colonial and Postcolonial Linguistics http://www.iacpl.net/ )
Table of contents
Description
In postcolonial communities, both colonial history and the experience of decolonization shape cultural norms, transmission of knowledge, and communicative practices. While forces of social change, such as colonialism, globalization, or Americanization, threaten to weaken community ties and endanger linguistic diversity (e.g. Harrison 2007; Edwards 2010), marginalized communities have shown resistance and emancipation by adapting and appropriating new forms of communication and enriching local practices (Mufwene 2008). This has challenged earlier scholarly approaches to postcolonial communities as well as current linguistic scholarship, which seems to limit itself to traditional analytic approaches that are insufficient to fully grasp the linguistic outcomes of these social forces.
This conference aims at bringing together researchers working on all aspects of language use and linguistic practices in colonial and postcolonial settings. Our goal is to explore, describe, and better understand how changing social conditions shape linguistic practices in colonial and postcolonial contexts. In so doing, we want to critically evaluate a number of basic, perhaps Eurocentric, assumptions, such as the loss of linguistic diversity, or the role of the researcher as an active agent within the context in which they work.
Plenaries
The confirmed plenary speakers are
Prof Dr Rajend Mesthrie (Cape Town),
Prof Dr Ana Sobral (Zurich), and
PD Dr Eric Anchimbe (Bayreuth).
Call for Papers
Please note that the call for papers is now closed
We invite submissions for 20-minute presentations on empirical, theoretical, or methodological research on any aspect of language use in colonial and postcolonial contexts. These may include, but are not limited to, language policies, language ideologies, and communicative practices in colonial and postcolonial settings, as well as structural aspects of postcolonial varieties. We are particularly interested in critical views on basic assumptions in both linguistic theory and methodology. Please send your 300-word abstracts (excl. references) to iacpl@es.uzh.ch by January 28, 2018.
Fields: Anthropological linguistics, Historical sociolinguistics, Language documentation, Missionary linguistics, Language contact
Important Dates
Deadline Call for Papers: January 28, 2018
Notification of Acceptance: February 28, 2018
Conference dates: June 4–6, 2018
Programme
Download DetailedProgram
We will welcome you to the conference with an informal apéro meeting on Sunday evening.
Registration
There is no conference / registration fee.
Registration forms with information about the conference dinner and excursion options will be made available here shortly.
We encourage the participation of early career researchers and researchers from underprivileged institutions or regions. If you would like to apply for a travel bursary (subject to availability and qualification), please let us know.
Childcare
This is a child-friendly conference. Please get in touch to inquire about childcare availability.
Venue and Travel
University main building (Kollegiengebäude KOL), entrance Rämistrasse
- Location of Kollegiengebäude KOL
Location of University in the center of the city (Zürich Zentrum) and airport Kloten
Accommodation
Hotels in Zurich
Zurich is a very popular destination, so it is advisable to book accommodation early. The following list offers suggestions for hotels which are located within easy reach of the university and the central railway station, as well as some less expensive accommodation options. Anything close to the Hauptbahnhof and the university can also easily be reached from the airport. The rates given are standard prices, however special offers are often available. More information on alternative hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, apartments and hostels in Zurich can be found on Booking.com, Tripadvisor.com and on the website of Zürich Tourism.
Hotel Plattenhof ***
Location: near tram stops Platte and Kantonsschule, 5-minute walk to the university
Room rates: from CHF 215 (single), from CHF 235 (double)
Location: near tram stop Neumarkt, 10-minute walk to the university, 5-minute tram ride to the central railway station
Room rates: from CHF 210
Location: in the old town (Niederdorf), close to the central railway station and the university
Room rates: CHF 198 (single), CHF 231 (double)
Location: next to tram stop Haldenegg, close to tram stop Central, the central railway station and the university (5-minute walk)
Room rates: CHF 192 (single), CHF 237 (double)
Location: in the old town (Niederdorf), close to the railway station Stadelhofen, the tram stop Bellevue, the lake and the university
Room rates: CHF 190 (double)
Location: between tram stops Central and Neumarkt, a few minutes’ walk to the university
Room rates: CHF 180 (single), CHF 230 (double)
Location: close to tram stop Hottingerplatz, c.10 minutes to the central railway station and the university via tram, 10 minute-walk to the university
Room rates: CHF 180 (single), CHF 240 (double)
Location: close to tram stops Rathaus and Central, 10-minute tram ride or 15-minute walk to the university
Room rates: CHF 153 (single), CHF 190 (double)
Location: close to tram stop Central, 10-minute walk to the university and the central railway station
Room rates: CHF 131 (single), CHF 238 (double)
Location: next to tram stop Haldenegg, close to tram stop Central, the central railway station and the university (5-minute walk)
Room rates: CHF 130 (single), CHF 200 (double)
Location: next to tram stop Central, close to the central railway station and the university
Room rates: CHF 126 (single), CHF 147 (double)
Location: near tram stop Stauffacher, 15-minute walk to the central railway station and c.10 minutes by tram to the university
Room rates: from CHF 96 (single), CHF 112 (double)
Location: close to tram stop Bellevue, 10-minute tram ride to the central railway station, 5-minute tram ride to the university
Room rates: from CHF 59
Location: 6 minutes from the central railway station with regional train S4, c.25 minutes to university with public transport
Room rates: from CHF 49
